Down Syndrome Awareness week Oct

DS awareness week is coming up. There will be a thing happening at Waverly Park with Hawthorn Footy club. Trying to think of ideas to raise awareness and some funds possibly.

New Skill. Getting to sit by self

Nathan is now getting to a sitting up position by himself. He likes to practice things in his cot before trying them out in the big wide world. So that is where we first found him sitting up, in his cot.

We were very excited to find him like this and so went over the top saying how clever he was, as you do when your child does something new. Now we have a new dilemma during the day. We lay him down for his sleep and he sits up. we lay him down and he sits up etc. I have tried leaving him for over an hour and he happily sits and calls out. Therefore not much daytime sleeping is happening. On two occasions he has fallen asleep while sitting up. He has then ended up with legs spread and his face down on the mattress in front of him. We have then been able to move him into a more comfortable position when he is fast asleep.

At least it is only in the day. Next will be standing!!

over vomit

starting to think about a fundo.
have been stubborn and not wanting it but am really over the vomiting and it may be really helpful for him. Will talk to gastroenterologist at next appointment about it.

Still need to get mic-key from stomal nurse at hospital- RED TAPE!!!!

Justin Ridler

At the start of the year- Just after Nathan stopped having to have O2 on in the day- we had some photos taken through DSV for publicity. Justin Ridler took the photos. We were first up. There are some great ones. Nathan was on the cover of DSV mag in summer. Look forward to getting some printed and framed.

AFO's

Had an appointment with an orthotists.
We just need to wait for funding for the AFO's
It is thought it will take 4-6 weeks.
Nathan will then get casts made of his legs and AFo's made.
Hope is this will help support his ankles so he can cruise around more easily.
In six months or so we will then get an ankle length version

EEG

Nathan had an EEg the other week. It came back abnormal but not sure of the cause of the small siezures he had been having. Hven't seen one for a while. Need to just observe and report back to paediatrician if we see any eyelid flickering or eye rolling while he holds his breathe

Early Learning Group

We had our first day at the early learning group for children wth hearing impairments.
We had a fun morning. We took home a DVD with songs and actions in sign. Nathan is picking up the actions fairly quickly. Almost as quickly as us.

The ELG is every second Tuesday. We have a Teacher of the deaf come every other week to focus on speech and listening.

let's go sliding

Nathan has worked out how to slide around on the wooden floors. He spreads his legs, places his hands between his legs and pushes himself backwards.
He's starting to get quite quick at moving around. I'll have to watch what I leave lying around!